| Our Lady of Banneaux Our Lady of the Poor |
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| A young girl gazed out the kitchen window of her home into the dark night. It was a cold, Sunday evening January 15, 1933 in Banneux, Belgium. Mariette (age 11) was looking for her younger brother, Julien, to arrive home, but Julien was late that night. On the second or third time she peered out the window, Mariette was suddenly surprised to see a young lady out in the garden, just a few meters away, smiling at her. An oval light surrounded the slender figure. The young woman was leaning slightly forward, with her head inclined a bit to the left. Her hands were folded in prayer, while a crystal-like rosary hung from her right arm. The Lady wore a long white dress with a blue sash and a long, transparent veil that flowed over her head down to her feet. A golden rose appeared just above her right foot.
Mariette quickly informed her mother that she saw the Blessed Mother! About the same time, she hurried to take out a rosary from her pocket. This was a special rosary to Mariette because she had recently found it on a road when she traveled to the city of Tancrement. Mrs. Beco joked that perhaps it was the Blessed Virgin, but instantly became frightened when she caught just a glimpse of something – something like a transparent image. Thinking it might be a ghost, she quickly closed the kitchen curtain. Mariette, however, took another long glance at the lovely Lady who was still smiling at her. As Mariette prayed the rosary, Our Lady silently joined in. Soon she beckoned Mariette, with her finger, to come outside. But as the willing child moved to the door, her mother locked it and refused Mariette permission to leave. That night and the next, Mariette privately pondered the wonderful experience and prayed to see the beautiful Lady again. The following Tuesday morning, Mariette hurried to Mass. She had not been to Mass in months. The parish priest, Fr. Jamin, was surprised to see anyone from the Beco family because they had not been regular in attendance, especially to come on a weekday. Mariette also returned to school and was eager to learn in catechism class. This was the first time she knew her religious lesson. Curious to know what had prompted such a change, the priest asked Mariette if something had happened. She confided everything to him; but he interpreted it as, perhaps she’d only seen, or remembered, a beautiful statue of Our Lady of Lourdes. On Wednesday evening, Jan. 18th, Mariette decided to pray the rosary in the garden. Although it was very cold, she desired so much to see the Blessed Mother again. Her father and two brothers watched from inside the house. About 7 p.m. Our Lady did, indeed, come to her. When Mariette saw the Blessed Virgin descending between two pine trees, she raised her arms. Her father and brothers could not see Our Lady, but believed that Mariette did. Mary joined Mariette again in her prayers; and then, once more, beckoned Mariette with her finger to follow her. She led Mariette outside the gate and down the road to where an unknown spring was once found. There, Mariette, fell to her knees and Our Lady said to her, “Push your hands into the water.” As Mariette did, she repeated the words she heard Our Lady say, “This stream is reserved for me.” When the Beco’s returned home after the apparition, Fr. Jamin was waiting for her. He listened intently to all that was said and gave the family some wise, pastoral advice. The next evening a similar apparition took place, only this time Mariette’s father and several observers watched and followed Mariette. This time, Mariette ventured to ask, “Who are you, my beautiful Lady?” She replied, “I am the Virgin of the Poor.” Mariette also asked, “Last evening you said, “This stream is reserved for me.” Why ‘for me’? The Blessed Virgin smiled and answered, “This spring is reserved for all the nations – to relieve the sick.” Mariette repeated Her words very clearly. Then Our Lady said, “I shall pray for you, good-bye for now.” On Friday evening, again at 7 p.m., Mariette desired to meet Our Lady in the garden as usual. It did not matter to her that she was very sick and that it was bitter cold outside. When she saw Her, she called out, “Beautiful Lady, what are your wishes?” Our Lady answered, “I would like a small chapel to built.” Then she blessed Mariette and said, “Au Revoir” (farewell). Immediately following Our Lady’s disappearance, Mariette collapsed, losing consciousness due to her sickness and the cold. Her father rushed to her side and neighbors helped to carry her inside her home where she regained consciousness and went peacefully to sleep. From January 21 until February 11, Mariette continued to pray her rosary in the garden each evening, despite the winter cold or snow. The number of those who accompanied her dwindled. However, on the night of the feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes (Feb. 11), Mary returned to visit Mariette in the garden again. Nearing the end of the second rosary, the people followed the young girl to the stream as before. Upon reaching the water, she dipped her hands into it and made the sign of the cross. Then Our Lady said to her, “I have come to relieve the suffering. I will see you again soon. Au Revoir.” On Wednesday, Feb. 15th, Mariette was delighted to see Our Lady. She greeted Her and said, “Fr. Jamin has instructed me to ask you for a sign.” To which Our Lady responded, sharing this message for him, “Believe in me, and I will believe in you.” Then she entrusted a secret to Mariette and added, “Pray a lot. Au Revoir.” Again, on the evening of Monday, February 20, Our Blessed Mother appeared to Mariette at the end of the second rosary prayed in the garden. She brought Mariette to the spring, telling her, “My dear child, pray much. Au Revoir.” Mariette then waited until March 2, when the eighth and final apparition took place. Mary spoke to her again by the stream saying, “I am the Mother of the Savior, Mother of God. Pray much.” Mariette could only reply, “Yes, Yes.” And then Our Lady blessed her and indicated that this was, indeed, the final apparition by saying, “Adieu” (good-bye) instead of “Au Revoir” as she had said on previous occasions. Banneux is a Belgian village situated fifty miles north-east of Beauraing. Like all the children of the apparition at Beauraing, Mariette, later married and had a family. And, she too, was content to remain in the background of all the miracles and events that would follow because of Our Lady of the Poor. The Apparitions of Our Lady of the Poor, in Banneux, Belgium were approved by the Roman Catholic Church in 1949. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |